Airline Credit Card Finder

There’s an airline credit card out there for every type of traveler. To help you determine which card is right for you, we assembled our top picks.

Our pick for an airline credit card

Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express

• Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you use your new card to make $1,000 in purchases within your first 3 months and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new card within your first 3 months.
• Earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta. Earn one mile for every eligible dollar you spend on other purchases.
• Check your first bag free on Delta flights – that’s a savings of up to $240 per round trip for a family of four.
• Settle into your seat sooner with Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding.
• Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Terms apply.

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Compare airline credit cards

Many airlines offer cobranded credit cards with airline-specific perks. If you fly with different carriers, you might like a general travel card instead.

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Name	Product	Welcome offer	Rewards	Annual fee	Filter values
Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express		30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, plus $50 when you make a Delta purchase in the same timeframe	2x miles on Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)		Earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, plus $50 when you make a direct Delta purchase in the same timeframe. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
United℠ Explorer Card		40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months	2x miles at restaurants, hotels and United and 1x miles on all other purchases	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)		40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Blue Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express		10,000 miles after spending $500 in the first 3 months	2x miles at US restaurants and on direct Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases	$0		Earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card		40,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months	2x points on Southwest Airlines and 1x points on all other purchases	$99		Earn 40,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
British Airways Visa Signature® Card		50,000 Avios after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 50,000 Avios after spending $20,000 in the first year	3x Avios on British Airways and 1x Avios on all other purchases	$95		50,000 Avios after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 50,000 Avios after spending $20,000 in the first year	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card		40,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months	2x points on Southwest and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rentals and 1x points on all other purchases	$149		Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card		40,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months	2x points on Southwest Airlines and 1x points on all other purchases	$69		Earn 40,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Avianca Vuela Visa® Card		40,000 bonus LifeMiles after first card use	3x miles on Avianca, 2x miles on gas and groceries, 1x miles on all other purchases and 15% Multiply Your Miles discount	$149		40,000 bonus LifeMiles after first card use	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Avianca Vida Visa® Card		20,000 bonus LifeMiles after first card use	2x miles on Avianca, 1x miles on all other purchases and 15% Multiply Your Miles discount	$59		Earn 20,000 bonus LifeMiles after using your card for the first time.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card		60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months	2x points on travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases	$95		Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Best airline credit cards

Our list starts with a general travel card and is followed by cobranded products for top US airlines. Check out the bottom of the guide for more cards from other airlines.

Best for airline rewards and transferable airline points: The Platinum Card® from American Express

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Amex is consistently one of the best options for flight rewards. Though it comes with a $550 annual fee, you’ll earn stellar points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (see rates & fees).

• The perks

  • Rewards: 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel. 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on American Express Travel. This translates to a 5% rewards rate according to the industry standard of 1 point = 1 cent. You could get an even higher rate by transferring points to Amex’s travel partners.
  • Welcome offer: 60,000 Membership rewards points after you make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
  • Travel perks: Annual airline fee credit, annual Uber credits, TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit, airport lounge access.

• See Amex transfer partners

  Airline	Transfer ratio
  Aer Lingus	1:1
  AeroMexico	1:1.6
  Air Canada	1:1
  Alitalia	1:1
  ANA	1:1
  Asia Miles	1:1
  Avianca	1:1
  British Airways	1:1
  Delta	1:1
  El Al	1000:20
  Emirates	1:1
  Etihad	1:1
  Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)	1:1
  Iberia	1:1
  Hawaiian Airlines	1:1
  JetBlue	250:200
  Singapore Airlines	1:1
  Virgin Atlantic	1:1

  Hotel	Transfer ratio
  Choice Hotels	1:1
  Hilton	1:2
  Marriott	1:1

• See Chase transfer partners

  Airline	Transfer ratio
  Aer Lingus	1:1
  British Airways	1:1
  Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)	1:1
  Iberia	1:1
  JetBlue	1:1
  Singapore Airlines	1:1
  Southwest Airlines	1:1
  United Airlines	1:1
  Virgin Atlantic	1:1

  Hotel	Transfer ratio
  World of Hyatt	1:1
  IHG Rewards Club	1:2
  Marriott Rewards	1:1

Best for Delta: Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express

Read review

This card is tailored to the Delta loyalist. We estimate travel benefits are worth over $2,000 a year. If you want a taste of the Delta high life without paying a premium annual fee, consider the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express.

• The perks

  • Welcome offer: 40,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you make $3,000 in eligible purchases with your card within the first 3 months of account opening.
  • Rewards: 2x miles on Delta purchases and 1x miles on other eligible purchases.
  • Delta benefits: Click the dropdown menu below to see additional Delta perks.

• See additional Delta perks

  Here are a few Delta perks that can increase the value of your card.

  • Complimentary Delta Sky Club access.
  • Miles Boost: Earn 15,000 MQMs and 10,000 bonus miles after you make in purchases with your card in a . Earn another 15,000 MQMs and miles after you make another in purchases with your card within the same .
  • Domestic First Class or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate upon card renewal.
  • Main Cabin 1 priority boarding on Delta flights.
  • First checked bag free on Delta flights booked with your card.
  • 20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases.
  • Access to the Sky Priority security lane when you fly with Delta.

Redeem Delta SkyMiles for best value

Best for United: United℠ Explorer Card

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The United℠ Explorer Card offers more bang for your buck versus other mid-tier airline cards. Besides United perks — which include two United Club one-time passes each card year — you’ll also get a credit for your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application every four years.

• The perks

  • Signup bonus: 40,000 bonus miles after you make $2,000 in purchases with your card within the first 3 months of account opening.
  • Rewards: 2x miles on United purchases, eligible hotel stays and restaurant spending. Earn 1x miles on all other purchases.
  • United benefits: Click the dropdown menu below to see additional United perks.

• See additional United perks

  • TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit every four years.
  • 25% back as statement credit on inflight purchases with United.
  • First checked bag free on United-operated flights.
  • Priority boarding for you and companions on your reservation on each United-operated flight.
  • 2 United Club one-time passes each card year.

Best for American Airlines: Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®

Read review

The premium, $450-a-year American Airlines credit card is arguably less attractive than the Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express. But the airline’s $99-a-year product is impressive, offering solid rewards on American Airlines purchases and everyday spending. Plus, you’ll find solid airline-specific perks like preferred boarding.

• The perks

  • Signup bonus: 40,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after you make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
  • Rewards: 2x miles on eligible American Airlines. 1x miles on other purchases, restaurant and gas station purchases.
  • American Airlines perks: First checked bag free and preferred boarding on American Airlines itineraries. 25% savings on eligible inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when you use your card.

How to redeem American Airlines miles

Best for Southwest: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

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Read review

This is the highest-priced Southwest credit card, but you can offset part of the annual fee with the yearly $75 travel credit on most Southwest purchases. You can also find great value from the Upgraded Boarding reimbursements and annual point bonus.

• The perks

  • Signup bonus: 40,000 points after you make $1,000 in purchases with your card within the first 3 months of account opening.
  • Rewards: 2x points on Southwest Airlines flights and spending with hotel and car rental partners. 1x points on all other purchases.
  • Southwest airlines benefits: Click the dropdown menu below to see Southwest Airlines perks.

• See additional Southwest Airlines perks

  • Reimbursement for up to four Upgraded Boardings every card year.
  • $75 travel credit for most Southwest purchases every card year.
  • 20% back on inflight drinks and Wi-Fi.
  • 7,500 points every year after your card anniversary.
  • Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQP) for every $10,000 in purchases you make, up to $100,000 in purchases annually.

How to choose an airline credit card

1. 1. Decide if you want a general or cobranded card.
      A general card can be effective if you fly with different airlines. Depending on the provider, you may be able to transfer your points or miles to partner airlines. This gives you a lot of flexibility you wouldn’t get with a cobranded card.

      If you’re loyal to a certain airline, you might like a cobranded card. You probably shouldn’t get the card for its rewards, as you’ll often find stronger points or miles from a general card. But the cobranded product might offer airline-specific perks such as priority boarding, free checked baggage and access to the airline’s lounges. If you’re on the fence, check out our top picks for airline rewards programs.

   2. Think about how much you want to pay.
      Airline credit cards usually fall into three general price points: $0, $99 or $450 a year.A no-annual-fee cobranded card usually offers limited airline perks — for example, savings on inflight purchases. The mid-tier card typically offers a few more benefits, such as priority boarding and checked baggage. The $450-a-year card may offer airport-lounge access, TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit or a companion pass.If you can forego airline benefits, you might like a general travel card with no annual fee. You’ll find several options with great rewards.
   3. Apply for the card.
      You’ll need information like your full name, contact details, Social Security number, date of birth, gross annual income and employment information.

1. Wait for your card.
   Many travel-card providers will give you a decision on your application immediately. If a provider needs to review your application manually, it may take a few days to a few weeks to hear back.
   If you’re approved, look for your card in the mail within seven to 10 days.

Bottom line

If you want to earn flexible points or miles on flights, consider a general travel credit card. If you’re loyal to a certain airline, you might like a cobranded card.

Not sure if an airline card is right for you? Check out our guide to travel credit cards for more options.

Frequently asked questions

• Will I earn rewards for a balance transfer to my travel card?

  No. You’ll only earn rewards for eligible purchases.

• Do all travel credit cards have annual fees?

  No. You’ll find a significant number of no-annual-fee travel cards. For the best rewards and benefits, however, you’ll need to pay an annual fee — typically $95 and up.

• Will my travel rewards expire?

  For flexible-currency cards, your rewards generally don’t expire. Rewards are more likely to expire for hotel and airline cards.

Kevin Joey Chen

Kevin Joey Chen is a credit cards writer at finder.com. He's passionate about helping you get your finances in order and travel the world like a pro. He's taken an extended trip around Europe as a digital nomad, gaining firsthand experience with exchange rates, ideal (and not-so-ideal) credit and debit cards, foreign transactions and budgeting strategies. He earned his BA from UC Davis and has written across many niches at Finder, including cryptocurrency, personal loans, car insurance, real estate and money transfers.